Postdoctoral Research Program

Although the mission of Fox Chase Cancer Center to "Reduce the burden of cancer," is very precise, our over 70 robust science programs are remarkably diverse. Our research programs include labs studying the most fundamental cellular problems to those translating their findings to the clinic. Complementing these programs are superior core facilities, outstanding support staff and a collaborative environment that together make Fox Chase an outstanding place to work.

In addition to numerous journal clubs, training seminars, science writing, career preparation, one-on-one coaching, joint laboratory meetings, and intramural and extramural seminar series, Fox Chase provides a concerted training program specifically designed to maximize productivity and equip postdocs to make informed career choices upon completing their postdoctoral experience at Fox Chase.

Areas of Research

The Postdoctoral Research Program promotes training in any of Fox Chase's laboratories engaged in research. The following are areas of research with faculty participating in the postdoctoral training program:

To learn more about research opportunities at Fox Chase, search available positions.

Collaboration: The Fox Chase Difference

Fox Chase fosters an environment conducive to strong collaboration across all disciplines from basic to translational research. As a postdoctoral fellow at Fox Chase, you will have the opportunity to interact with our faculty as a valued colleague in a setting built around mutual respect and collegiality. All faculty maintain collaborative, open-door policies where collaborations are abundant and guidance is freely offered.

Here at Fox Chase, you can build relationships with a renowned group of experts while furthering your own skills as a scientist. The support you will receive at Fox Chase goes well beyond the laboratory walls, with training, career development and a generous benefits package. As a result, Fox Chase has an exceptional career placement track record in academic, industrial and other careers in science.

Despite its relatively small size, Fox Chase has an outstanding array of core facilities that rival those of many larger research institutions. These facilities, which provide access to the latest technology, also provide essential services that would otherwise demand a considerable amount of benchwork on the part of the laboratory staff. Facilities include our high throughput facility, cell imaging, small animal imaging, histopathology, laser capture micro-dissection, molecular modeling, transgenic and knock-out mice, flow cytometry, antibody production, translational research (including siRNA and drug screening), tumor bank facility, and tumor micro-array facility.

Fox Chase also has an exceptional research library located on campus. Staff librarians are always just a phone call, email or instant message away with answers to your questions, and provide full support through regular training sessions. Whether you need help crafting the perfect query in PubMed or building a bibliography in EndNote, the Talbot Research Library staff is there to help. The library provides access to many online journals, databases and other resources, and the inviting library space includes comfortable seating, wireless access and a computer cluster for internet access and more.

Support the Postdoctoral Research Program

Training postdoctoral candidates to become the next generation of scientists is central to Fox Chase Cancer Center’s tradition of leadership in cancer research. The Center provides a host of valuable resources to enrich professional and personal lives and fosters an environment conducive to strong collaboration across all disciplines - accounting for its consistent acclaim as one of the best places for postdocs to work by The Scientist magazine. Thank you for helping to enrich the experience for future trainees!

Twice a year, the Office of Academic Affairs publishes a postdoctoral alumni newsletter, sent to over 400 former trainees of the Center. The newsletter highlights important science, individual stories and news from the Center. In addition, the newsletter promotes networking between current trainees and alums of the Center.

"After graduation, I was at a crossroads—I could become a medical doctor, or I could go to graduate school and have a career focused on research and teaching. After much consideration, I chose to go to graduate school, starting at Drexel University College of Medicine in 2011 and working on my thesis in Dr. Jeffrey Peterson’s lab at Fox Chase Cancer Center."

My short-term goal is to pursue residency and fellowship training as a medical oncologist after I graduate from the MD/PhD program. My long-term goal is to practice as a physician scientist, seeing patients while also running a translational research lab of my own.

"In 2010, I joined Dr. Matt Robinson’s lab at Fox Chase Cancer Center to work on a bioengineering project focused on developing carbon nanotube-based antibody-functionalized biosensors for early detection of prostate cancer biomarkers. In 2012, I joined the PhD program at the Institute of Experimental Medicine in St. Petersburg, which allowed me to return to Fox Chase Cancer Center to work with Dr. Kerry Campbell."

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